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02/27/2005

Goin' quicker in the speedin' lane

It's weird to be driving out on the interstate in rural Colorado and seeing the flashing highway signs (the ones that otherwise warn of icy roads or Amber alerts) saying "Keep Right Except To Pass." Now, that was my driving habit to begin with, but why did the Colorado legislature feel like it was important to actually make that a law last year instead keeping it as just a good guideline?

If anything, I think making that the law makes things a bit more dangerous, because it leads to more cars in the right lane when people are coming onto the freeway -- and Coloradans are notoriously bad at merging. But putting that aside, I can't see what the benefit is to the rule except for making it easier for people who want to speed.

I've heard Colorado Republicans are generally pro-speeding; that's why they fought photo radar so hard. I'm inclined to agree that some mild speeding isn't too dangerous, and it is unrealistic to expect everyone to adhere to limits that are just obviously (to me) too low sometimes. And I like to drive fast just as much as anyone else.

But there is a difference between opposing photo radar, which is arguably intrusive law enforcement, and mandating that slowpokes get the hell out of your way. I guess if, unlike me, you assume you're never going to get pulled over, then why not pass a law making it illegal to get in the way of people who want to use the left lane for its intended purpose of exceeding the speed limit.

(Title to the post, and lots of my driving, inspired by Public Enemy.)